Ellesmere Port Prince's Trust team graduate from programme

A group of young people from Ellesmere Port have just completed The Prince’s Trust Programme and celebrated their success at a graduation ceremony in Chester.

The future now looks brighter for the team of 12, who joined a Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service led The Prince’s Trust Programme 12 weeks ago.

They were required to complete a series of qualifications, tasks and challenges to enable them to graduate from the programme at Brook Mollington Banastre Hotel and Spa, Chester.

The team, who were all dressed in evening dress, made speeches in front of local dignitaries, fire and rescue service staff, family and friends about their experience and how their lives had changed since joining the programme.

Graduating from the course was:

Amy Gibbs

Billy Ireland

Dominique Carline

Lara Bloomfield

Liam Kynaston

Rebecca McGlinchey

Sarah Berry

Timothy Robson

Team members Callum Brooks, Olivia Billington, Owen Burgess and Rebecca Verschueren also graduated from the programme at a later date.

The team was run by Programme Manager, Stuart Baxter and Assistant Programme Manager is Jake Marriott. Ben Burgoyne,

Firefighter and Community Safety Apprentice and James Carruthers, an employed Prince’s Trust Volunteer also assisted with the team.
Sean Barlow, The Prince's Trust Project Co-ordinator for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The team have faced many tasks and challenge over the last 12 weeks, but their confidence has grown and their skill set has been expanded. I would like to congratulate everyone on the team, not only for graduating, but for the way they have embraced new challenges and I wish them all the very best for in future.

“I would encourage anyone who is lacking in self-confidence or may be stuck in a bit of a rut, as to what direction their life needs to go next, to get in touch with the team leader and take advantage of this free programme.”

Over the last 12 weeks the group have learnt respect, self-confidence and a variety of new skills as part of the programme. They have grown as individuals and now have clear aims and objectives in life.

The team took part in a number of activities during the programme which included:

Raising money for a community project by bag packing

Health and safety and first aid courses

Disability awareness training and driving safety course

A four day team building event in Wales

The Princes Trust programme is a free 12 week course giving young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, the opportunity to learn new skills, complete qualifications and gain greater self-confidence.

The next team will be running in Ellesmere Port and starts on January 21 2019. If anybody from the Ellesmere Port or Chester area is interested, or you know anyone aged between 16 and 25 who you think would benefit from the Prince's Trust programme, then please call Jake Marriott, Prince’s Trust Assistant Programme Manager, on 07837 075 064 or Stuart Baxter, Prince’s Trust Programme Manager, on 07792 489 020